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IT hurts: Modern technologies causing us pain

It's supposed to be designed to make life easier, but it seems modern day technology is a common cause the nation's aches and pains.

According to new research, the desktop computer is the worst offender by far  with 75% voting it responsible for them suffering neck and back pain.

As the population becomes increasingly obsessed with making things faster, lighter and more advanced, perhaps it's of little wonder then that eight out of 10 Brits are experiencing aches and injuries from using modern technology.

Working at a computer was responsible for other common injuries listed in the top 10, including thousands of people experiencing the wrath of a computer's trusty companion, the mouse.

Ranking as the fifth most common cause for pain, over a quarter of Britons claim to suffer from repetitive strain injury or finger strain after clicking the computer mouse several thousand times a day.

However, it is not only the PC that is causing problems. Second in the line of fire were mobile phones, with four in 10 reporting suffering from a sore neck from balancing the phone between their head and shoulder while on the move. Mobile phones were also to blame for aching thumbs by 19% of the 7,333 people surveyed.

A spokesperson for Mobigel Paineze Spray who conducted the study, said: "For many people, muscular pain and inflammation are common occurrences, yet people do not realise that the everyday habits are the cause of their discomfort.

"It would seem that modern technology is often the culprit for many of our injuries though ironically it is meant to make our lives easier."

A staggering 37% of Britain's couch potatoes admitted they put up with neck ache after lounging on the sofa in front of the television for a couple of hours every night.

The poll also shows that the rise in the number of people playing computer games has led to injuries such as wrist strain.

New technology such as the Nintendo Wii is being held accountable for hundreds of injuries nationwide, and 36% say they often feel uncomfortable after gaming.

Beauty regimes were also found to be the cause of discomfort for many, with a quarter of respondents saying daily styling with hair dryers, curling tongs, and straighteners left them with arm and shoulder strain.

While the popularity of social networking has soared, one in 10 Brits have tripped up, fallen over, or walked into something when tweeting on Twitter to other followers.

The poll revealed that 71% of people think it is highly likely that many of their muscle aches and pain are caused by modern day living.